The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk When did they write the Vacuum Wiper's Obituary?

Just wondering what the last year was for the vacuum wipers in the trucks and the cars for GM?
DG

I don't know, Denny, but for trucks maybe 1963 (the dual action fuel pump was available through 1962). Maybe the use of an electric wiper motor was an accessory/option on at least trucks with 6-cylinder engines from 54-62?

Tim

This means nothing but my father in-laws 55 Ford Customline car has vacuum were as my 53 Ford F800 has electric. Go figure, LOL,
Scott

In Chev cars my 56 had vacuum.my 57 had electric

Reason I was asking was, I saw a '57 custom at a rod and custom show this past weekend and it had a vacuum wiper, I thought they were done with them by then.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

electric was an xtra cost option on trucks until 60, most 55-59's have vacuum, not sure about cars, but I think the same [I've seen 57 cars w/ vacuum wipers] - after they started with electric washer setups electric wipers were standard

Bill

Had vacumn on my 56 coupe and changed it to electric back in the 60's. It was an easy modification even for a young high school kid. Denny I don't have a clue when they bit the dust though.

Go on Denny put those electric wipers on. I can see custom creeping up on you and before long you'll be all dolled up with chrome.

I guess 57 was the transitional year.I remembered my 57 was a Bel-Air built in the US,came to Canada about 61.Maybe the wiper motor was changed

not necessarily changed Boyd, the 57's can be found with electric [especially cars], but they were an option [RPO 320 for trucks], the vacuum was standard .... could also have been installed by a dealer on request

Bill

Naw Jimbo, a dab of Rain-X and kick her up to 40mph and there taint even any need for wipers. And all that chrome is just somethin more that demands attention. I'll leave that waxing and polishing up to you guys that have all the time in the world.

DG

When did they invent RainX?

Denny,
I recently helped a friend haul a military vehicle which I believe is a M715 (Google M715 Jeep and you will see examples). This is a military version of a Jeep, built in 1969. It has an open top and along the upper windshield frame are two vacuum wiper motors. So, that is the latest I am aware of. I now see you asked about GM, but I was surprised to see vacuum wipers so late in production, and military no less (they must have thought them reliable, you would think).

You said M715, I couldn't resist. I've owned two of these. Awesome trucks.

M715 #1

M715 #2

When I was in high school, we had a '56 car with electrics.

My '57 Chevy 210 had vacuum wipers and so did my '65 Chevelle... I think. I'm pretty sure. I think electric wipers/washer was an option in '65.

I thought there was an American Motors product in the early 70s that had vac wipers.

I see on Wiperman's website he services Trico units installed in AMCs & jeeps to 1972.

I think it is safe to say the obituary ran in US newspapers when Nixon was sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. No telling if Russia, East Germany, or other countries stopped using them later.

Bill

If "they" includes all manufacturers, I had a '71 800 series International Scout with vacuum wipers.

Nope, this is the Stovebolt forum, "they" was in referance to the now defunked/missmanaged/asleep at the wheel, General Motor Corp!
DG

GMC now known as the Government Motor Corp.